WASHINGTON — Canadian premiers are taking on the Workforce Canada mantle in Washington this week on a joint mission to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to drop his tariff threats for good.
WASHINGTON — Canadian premiers are taking on the Workforce Canada mantle in Washington this week on a joint mission to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to drop his tariff threats for good.
The diplomatic push by the Council of the Federation, which incorporates all 13 provincial and territorial premiers, comes after the president signed govt orders Monday to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all metal and aluminum imports into the US, together with Canadian merchandise, beginning March 12.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau referred to as the metal and aluminum tariffs “unacceptable.” Trudeau, who’s in Paris for a world summit on AI, stated he was working with worldwide companions to ship a “agency and clear” response.
A senior authorities official stated that Trudeau spoke with U.S. Vice-President JD Vance, who can be on the summit, concerning the impression metal tariffs would have in Ohio. Vance beforehand represented Ohio within the U.S. Senate.
Monday’s duties mark one other improvement in Trump’s bigger plans to reshape international commerce and American overseas coverage by way of tariffs.
Canadian premiers initially deliberate the joint mission to Washington to push again towards Trump’s menace of 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on Canadian imports, with a decrease 10 per cent levy on Canadian power.
Trump delayed these levies till not less than March 4 in response to frame safety commitments from each nations.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, chair of the Council of the Federation, stated the brand new tariff threats are completely pointless. Ford stated Canada will retaliate if pressured.
“These tariffs are going to harm each nations, mark my phrases,” Ford advised CNBC Information Monday. “And sadly the president has gone down this avenue, and there is not any motive to.”
Ford stated it stays unclear what Trump in the end needs from Canada. He stated any duties will hurt each the Canadian and American economies.
Ford is scheduled to talk to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Tuesday earlier than internet hosting a joint reception with Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer.
British Columbia Premier David Eby, who can be conferences within the U.S. capital Tuesday, stated Canadians are “means too reliant on the choices of 1 particular person within the White Home.”
Premiers want to meet with enterprise and labour leaders, in addition to key members of Trump’s administration.
“This can be a Republican-led initiative towards Canada,” Eby stated Monday earlier than he flew from Vancouver to Washington.
“It is a group we have to speak to. Clearly, we have to assist them perceive the significance of our tightly linked economies, and that whereas they could suppose they’re making an attempt to get one thing from Canada, it is simply mutually assured harm.”
Federal Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc additionally spoke with Trump’s newly confirmed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday. Based on a press release issued by the U.S. authorities, Bessent talked with LeBlanc concerning the significance of working collectively to fight safety threats and interesting on financial points. In addition they mentioned collaborating on G7 priorities.
“Our dialog targeted on our widespread goal — constructing a robust North American economic system that advantages residents and industries on each side of our shared border,” LeBlanc stated in a submit on social media.
— With recordsdata from Chuck Chiang in Vancouver and Anja Karadeglija in Paris
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Feb. 11, 2025.
Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press
